Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 105 The Tan Family's Abacus
The Tan family has indeed had a hard time recently.

Tan Huaike also heard that the ten new shops that Mr. Tan bought on Huaqi Street were completely ruined -

The selection criteria for Imperial Merchants were clearly stated; merchants selling goods of unknown origin, or operating gambling houses or taverns were ineligible. Huaqi Street was originally built to accommodate these businesses, and once it reached such a scale, it became difficult for them to remain isolated.

If he had only one or two shops, it wouldn't have been a big deal. He could just do some legitimate business and even lose money, no big deal. But Mr. Tan, in order to seize the initiative, spent a fortune and used connections to acquire ten shops. This was like putting himself on the hook. If he wanted to make money, he couldn't become an imperial merchant. If he wanted to maintain his eligibility for the promotion, he had to completely abandon the profits from these shops. For Mr. Tan, who had been gambled everything on this, it was practically a death sentence.

When he first heard the news, Mr. Tan wanted to find Tan Huaike, his married-in daughter, to take over several shops. On the surface, she would be in charge of the business, but in reality, the bulk of the profits would belong to the Tan family. This way, they would not lose their eligibility to be selected as imperial merchants, and they could also make a lot of money by using this married-in daughter. It was simply the best of both worlds.

It’s a pity that Tan Huaike didn’t buy his account at all, so his wish came to nothing.

Later, Mr. Tan came up with another plan. He had initially secured the support of County Magistrate Yan, who acted as a guarantor while he borrowed a large sum of money from the shops. This was how he was able to take over half of the street in one go. When he ran into trouble, he went to see County Magistrate Yan again, hoping to sell back a few of his shops to reduce his losses and redeem some money to pay off his debts.

However, County Magistrate Yan immediately turned against him, saying that although he was his guarantor, he had never promised him anything, and there was no way he could return the shop he had signed and sealed. As for the loan he owed to the shop, if he couldn't pay it back in cash, he would use the Tan family's property to make up for it, so he couldn't be held responsible.

Mr. Tan was stunned. His dream of getting rich was shattered into pieces. He was so anxious and angry that he had a headache. He had to lie at home for several days and went to Rusheng Medical Clinic to get some medicine to calm his temper.

Even so, the Tan family still had no peace.

Every now and then, someone would come to collect a debt, either gambling debts owed by Tan Anfeng or moneylenders demanding repayment of loan principal and interest. Perhaps driven to the brink of despair, Mr. Tan pulled himself together, knowing this calamity was inevitable and beyond his reach, he could only find a way to shift the burden onto others.

Just when she was worrying about what to do, Tan Anfu seized the opportunity and brought her own new and old grudges to offer advice to Aong.

She said, "Aunt, that married Hu woman has taken so much advantage from our family and never thought of giving back. She even turned her back on us and bullied us. Now that we're in trouble, we should ask her to contribute money and effort. Otherwise, she'll really trample on the Tan family and treat us like soft persimmons."

Tan Li held up his swollen forehead and said, "Do you think that Hu girl is easy to fool? I didn't let her foolishly take over the shops on Huaqi Street back then, and she won't be fooled this time. Humph, I don't know why she is so noble. It doesn't matter what business she does, but she still looks down on such a good shop in such a good location."

"Since she refuses to accept our toast, why should we give her face?" Tan Anfu said, "Aunt, you hold her life in your hands, don't you use threats and inducements? She doesn't think that entering the Shentu Mansion will free her from our control, right? To preserve her current interests and reputation, she will definitely know what to do."

"Her indenture?" Tan Li frowned. "Tsk, we should think twice before doing this. If we really reveal it, the Shentu Mansion will not be kind to us. If we are not careful, we will be doomed..."

"We're not really going to expose the matter, we're just trying to scare her," Tan Anfu said. "The dowry she has is what we gave to the 'Tan Family's Concubine', and the land is also what the Shentu Mansion gave to the 'Tan Family's Concubine'. If we peel off this layer of skin, she will be left with nothing. I don't think she dares to do anything."

"But Madam Shentu..."

"If she's obedient and honest, then the old lady won't be able to report her. If she insists on embarrassing everyone, then at worst, the marriage will be annulled, and then this helpless Hu girl can be killed or sliced ​​open at the mercy of the Shentu Mansion."

"They are a famous and prestigious family after all, so it's better not to offend them." Tan Li was still hesitating.

"Grandfather, our family has come to this point. We have no choice but to give it a try." Tan Anfu tried her best to persuade him, "Families like the Shentu Mansion are most concerned about their reputation. We can go and talk to the old lady and suppress the matter without anyone knowing. At worst, we can let the widow go to the underworld to serve her good son and let her vent her anger." "Well, let me think about it." Having fallen several times in a row, Tan Li couldn't help but become cautious.

"Don't overthink it, Grandfather. We're simply using the indenture to force that Hu woman to take over a few shops. We assume she won't cut off her own path. However, she only has a few properties at best. Even if she were to go bankrupt, it wouldn't be enough to cover our current deficit. So, my daughter has another plan..."

"tell me the story."

"At the year-end sacrifice, the second son of the Shentu Mansion was a real star. The county governor praised him highly, and it seems he's on the road to becoming an imperial candidate." Tan Anfu said shyly, holding Tan Li's arm. "Aunt, we can't rely on that traitorous Hu woman. Why don't we remarry into the Shentu family..."

"You want to be the second son of the Shentu family's bride?" Tan Li instinctively knew this was going to be difficult, but he couldn't resist the temptation and his thoughts became active. The original intention of the marriage between Tan Anfu and Shentu Heng was to allow both families to benefit from it, but something went wrong along the way.

Who could have expected that the notorious playboy was so capable?
If we can win over Madam Shentu and let Tan Anfu marry the second young master, then when Shentu Zhuo gets an official position, wouldn't the title of imperial merchant be within easy reach?

Tan Li narrowed his eyes and made a decision in his heart.
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The business of the herbal medicine shop was booming. On this day, Tan Huaike was giving instructions to Zhong Ming, asking him to prepare the medicine for Shen Tu Zhuo's external injuries and send it to Lude County.

Mr. Tan, who had recovered from his illness, suddenly came to her house and said he wanted to help her sort out the accounts of the dowry shop.

Knowing that the visitor had ill intentions, Tan Huaike welcomed him into the inner room.

Zhong Ming poked his head inside and quickened the work of preparing the medicine.

Looking at this revived and increasingly prosperous medicine shop, Mr. Tan said, "Huai Ke, if you want to continue to be my daughter, you should share your father's worries."

Tan Huaike remained unmoved: "I'm afraid I can't share the worry that Grandpa has."

Mr. Tan took his seat leisurely, took out a wooden slip, and said, "Since you call me uncle, there are some things that are beyond your control. You must take over at least three of those shops on Huaqi Street for me."

"Again, I can't take it. I don't have that much cash."

"A medicine shop, a cloth shop, plus your newly opened Yanzhisi. I'm also a businessman, so how much profit can be made here? Three shops shouldn't be a big deal for you, right?"

"You're in a hurry to get rid of your things, so why should I take them?" Tan Huaike said with hidden anger, "Everyone knows that Huaqi Street will be a gathering place for illegal activities in the future. I don't want to make money from that, and I can't make it either."

"Why not make money if there's money to be made? With your talent, you wouldn't even think of competing for the qualification to be selected as an imperial merchant, would you?"
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　Next chapter: With this indenture, you will always be a slave of the Tan family.

　　(End of this chapter)